At Home (for now) in Los Barriles

[Note: If you received a NEW POST email on Feb 16 for this blog post, please note that it is not actually new, and was previously posted on Jan 9]
We know its been awhile, and we have a great month to update on.  However, we’ve been mostly staying put in one of our favorite places, Los Barriles.  We love this town because it offers the total package of everything we love: kitesurfing, beach camping, fishing, great food, yoga classes, mountain biking, off-road exploring and you can still watch the Packers play on Sundays.

We were also so lucky to have our best friends from San Francisco visit us to celebrate Christmas and New Years, which made this month even more amazing!

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TdGruW1Y_aY/VK5tR47zsYI/AAAAAAAAqh8/S-kSj6oSSuU/s144-c-o/IMG_8919.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101934699242041730″ caption=”Panoramic shot of Los Barriles” type=”image” alt=”IMG_8919.JPG” ]

George first discovered Los Barriles when he planned a kiting trip there six-plus years ago. We both fell in love with the town for all it offers, and it became George’s dream to spend a month in Los Barriles kiting and exploring. We admit Los Barriles has been overtaken by gringos, especially around the holidays, but somehow it manages to keep its Mexican charm.

Here is what we have been up to in Los Barriles:

Kiting in Los Barriles (narrated by George) – The minute we crossed the border, I was dying to get on the water and kitesurf, as the prime season is Nov – March.  However, upon arriving in Barriles, the wind immediately shut off though for about 9 days!   I was going a bit nuts, but then it came back in full force and I got an amazing two weeks on the water.

View from camp – it looks windy!

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ln9QrDRnnqU/VK5xaE2PSXI/AAAAAAAAqio/mwjHNNn20c8/s144-c-o/IMG_9002.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101939237925374322″ caption=”camp set up, lots of gear” type=”image” alt=”IMG_9002.JPG” ]

Before leaving, I bought a strapless surfboard especially made for kiteboarding.  Up until now, I’ve only ridden strapped into a wakeboard style board. Kitesurfing a true surfboard in big swell just blew me away.  It took me a good while to learn all the footwork and transitions (jibing/tacking), but I feel like I’ve found a brand new sport that is way better than I imagined!

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1MmS_zt9aQI/VK4sRfL8ekI/AAAAAAAAqbI/gtG4InEMYWk/s144-c-o/IMG_1922.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101863224074598978″ caption=”learning strapless transitions” type=”image” alt=”IMG_1922.JPG” ]

Jenine didn’t get me on any cool waves, but I had a blast.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WPuZ4bfaTGk/VK4pwnnc7MI/AAAAAAAAqa8/NtV2Xv1tvVA/s144-c-o/IMG_1921.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101860460378516674″ caption=”Spent the month riding strapless on a surfboard, it was a ton of fun” type=”image” alt=”IMG_1921.JPG” ]

I met some awesome kiters here, and the town really filled up for the holidays with people from all over the world.  It was an amazing experience being here and being on the water!   I can’t wait to kitesurf on all the spots on the way to Argentina

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XK6skfWzQ-8/VK5xLncHvAI/AAAAAAAAqig/zS4JYdhHOoE/s144-c-o/IMG_9020.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101938989513030658″ caption=”Barriles got busy over the holidays!” type=”image” alt=”IMG_9020.JPG” ]

 

Sea Turtle Release – Right next to our amazing campground, Playa Norte, is where they hatch and release baby sea turtles. They were so cute and small, and we learned that for every 1,000 turtles that make it to the water, only 1 survive to adulthood. Even more reason to protect these babies until they meet the water!

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CnRvQQv7UMw/VK3qlLo4KII/AAAAAAAAqXc/276_jLEruq0/s144-c-o/IMG_1848.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101790994657192066″ caption=”Hey little guy, time to go to the sea” type=”image” alt=”IMG_1848.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gnxXwXpC0uc/VK3zlyvGjJI/AAAAAAAAqYI/K5EsgMC11qM/s144-c-o/IMG_1852.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101800900756933778″ caption=”Baby turtles instinctively heading for the sea” type=”image” alt=”IMG_1852.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FGYzuNRM67c/VK5_D42F_KI/AAAAAAAAqko/fM-Tq8qdoH0/s144-c-o/IMG_8946.png” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101954249909206178″ caption=”swim little tortuga!” type=”video” alt=”IMG_8946.MOV” ]

Cooking classes – If anyone knows me, they know I thoroughly enjoy cooking. Setting out on this trip I planned to take many cooking classes to learn the local cuisines. My first two classes were in the hillside pueblo/town of San Bartolo with Renee and Denise at Buen Provecho. Their classes are so informational (with Denise as chef and Renee as anthropologist) and I highly recommend a class with them if you are in the area. I now regularly make corn tortillas, several types of salsas, and other Mexican entrees I learned.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k5SEF66z7fA/VK4Tzf2bxZI/AAAAAAAAqaA/pLPrW4Ldcr8/s144-c-o/IMG_1894.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101836320577668498″ caption=”We took cooking classes in San Bartolo at a beautiful cooking school – Buen Provecho” type=”image” alt=”IMG_1894.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sW7eYHr9FFU/VK4Uy–WEEI/AAAAAAAAq2g/HGn1WXevv1I/s144-c-o/IMG_1903.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101837411264106562″ caption=”Jenine and George on a cooking team” type=”image” alt=”IMG_1903.JPG” ]

Fostering a dog for a few weeks – George and I have seriously debated getting a dog on this trip both for safety and companionship. We had just made the final decision NOT to get a dog, when lo and behold a lady from the local rescue who operates in our campground asked us if we’d foster a puppy for a couple weeks. Twist our arms! We said yes 🙂 Meet Carly the foster dog, who we kept for two weeks until she boarded a flight to Oregon to meet her permanent family.  We miss her!

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OITyssu7Noc/VK4>S_BxnI/AAAAAAAAqdA/gE1-gIIeur0/s144-c-o/IMG_1978.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101883802282477170″ caption=”Carly the foster dog!” type=”image” alt=”IMG_1978.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fOxAVzf6tBc/VK5wOCYdtAI/AAAAAAAArDg/GQmn7zfKHUU/s144-c-o/IMG_8971.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101937931593561090″ caption=”Jenine getting some puppy love” type=”image” alt=”IMG_8971.jpg” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WYHabZkFwdM/VK6BDmB8rOI/AAAAAAAArDY/SWEzURlWrWA/s144-c-o/IMG_9129.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101956443881909474″ caption=”After fostering Carly for two weeks, she was off to her permanent home in Oregon. We will miss her so much!” type=”image” alt=”IMG_9129.jpg” ]

Christmas holiday with David and Haley!
Our good friends David and Haley came and visited us for the Christmas holiday and had very special news when they arrived. They recently got engaged! Congrats guys! Even more to celebrate this holiday season. We rented an awesome house with them for Christmas eve and day, where we cooked an delicious meal with them and our traveling friends Ben and Emma (Flightless Kiwis). David and Haley then joined us camping for the remainder of their vacation. So fun to share our way of life with them! We had some great day trips, ATV beach rides and they even helped us rescue a buried Titus (See more pics).

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ywsn-5L8t_o/VK5yozP20SI/AAAAAAAAqi0/kqBZTN-bEWU/s144-c-o/IMG_9027.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101940590410649890″ caption=”For Christmas we rented a house with friends from SF, it was so amazing” type=”image” alt=”IMG_9027.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tP5Dp-cQLL4/VK51vhdLcpI/AAAAAAAAqjQ/A1KVmsbIpsU/s144-c-o/IMG_9063.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101944004428657298″ caption=”David and Haley enjoying a beautiful sunrise. Congrats guys!!” type=”image” alt=”IMG_9063.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GKLvBDqno3A/VK5CGoPx_TI/AAAAAAAAqdg/zytddug8kqo/s144-c-o/IMG_1989.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101887226783857970″ caption=”A Baja Christmas feast, pineapple salsa, Mexican rice, fresh shrimp and ensalada.” type=”image” alt=”IMG_1989.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UNNE2J5FPQQ/VK5Ce6enrZI/AAAAAAAAqdo/YHHWkPORmYo/s144-c-o/IMG_1993.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101887643994795410″ caption=”Merry Baja Christmas!” type=”image” alt=”IMG_1993.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FD_CxagTifg/VK5VzpRkEaI/AAAAAAAAqfM/l0XS6DTcLjg/s144-c-o/IMG_2050.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101908890874810786″ caption=”Love sharing this spot with friends” type=”image” alt=”IMG_2050.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7wyl8XzZLv8/VK5du4cR2RI/AAAAAAAAqgA/mKtMAwwDdlM/s144-c-o/IMG_2055.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101917605139962130″ caption=”We hiked to these awesome waterfalls in the Sierra De La Laguna mountains” type=”image” alt=”IMG_2055.JPG” ]

New Years with the SF crew!
As if December wasn’t already coming in strong, we dropped off David and Haley at the airport and picked up a whole big crew for a New Years extravaganza: Sanjay, Colleen, Tim R, Janice, Nick, Tim A, Brandon, and Jon. We decided with a big group that Cabo might just be the place the celebrate, so we booked rooms at a resort, and enjoyed the good life for a few days, complete with pool time and crazy nights out. It is Cabo afterall!

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pj_7NeKFdeE/VK73NKMR7oI/AAAAAAAAq0A/5dti_1EaeRU/s144-c-o/10900091_10153046326843707_4691309186510703241_o.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6102086350579822210″ caption=”From van life to resort life!” type=”image” alt=”10900091_10153046326843707_4691309186510703241_o.jpg” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mVpYiuxRpR8/VK73iXuhziI/AAAAAAAAq0U/V7b_kVCFkdg/s144-c-o/10931610_10153046326048707_4405010377014502518_o.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6102086714990382626″ caption=”A wonderful New Years Eve dinner at Niksan in Cabo” type=”image” alt=”10931610_10153046326048707_4405010377014502518_o.jpg” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7f1XlvjCxOI/VK6Lg8rUeJI/AAAAAAAAqoM/YXLFTKEvk2Q/s144-c-o/IMG_9354.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101967943293499538″ caption=”3-2-1 Happy New Year!” type=”image” alt=”IMG_9354.JPG” ]

Ringing in the New Year (SF Crew part 2)
We all needed some relaxing R&R after crazy Cabo, so we took the crew to Los Barriles to show them some of our favorite spots. The highlights were definitely our Quad trip to Punta Pescadora for awesome snorkling and poolside mimosas for the ladies while the guys watched the NFL playoffs.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O6yS-lK0jFs/VK6HsEE12ZI/AAAAAAAAqnI/iRe9bVIj4Mc/s144-c-o/IMG_9289.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101963736211642770″ caption=”After Cabo, we rented a house in Barriles with the gang” type=”image” alt=”IMG_9289.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CGnnYzfgHsA/VK8AYiyB6KI/AAAAAAAAq_4/1v4vJf8bERA/s144-c-o/10818226_10153046330223707_3752535408379415933_o.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6102096441763817634″ caption=”View of our awesome house in Barriles” type=”image” alt=”10818226_10153046330223707_3752535408379415933_o.jpg” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pXbwzNd_wRA/VK6IJlnEQHI/AAAAAAAAqnU/p-S_ZBN5YpE/s144-c-o/IMG_9294.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101964243429769330″ caption=”Taking the crew to the best Papas Rellenas in Baja!” type=”image” alt=”IMG_9294.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FLJcB5U_n1g/VK73kydRVyI/AAAAAAAAq0c/wLSLpeqx8D4/s144-c-o/10931709_10153046330398707_4312559599965222235_o.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6102086756525496098″ caption=”While the guys watched the playoffs, the girls did mimosas by the pool” type=”image” alt=”10931709_10153046330398707_4312559599965222235_o.jpg” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M6ZCxKe8qSg/VK5jrS4V8UI/AAAAAAAAqgQ/quG4rgwqYQA/s144-c-o/IMG_4626.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101924140587282754″ caption=”The crew at an amazing snorkeling spot with the beach to ourselves” type=”image” alt=”IMG_4626.jpg” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lHMFYSvWC4o/VK6MTIe3mII/AAAAAAAAqoY/aLrnM99nepY/s144-c-o/IMG_9339.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/LosBarrilesKitingPuppiesCookingAndCelebratingWithBestFriendsBlog14#6101968805455960194″ caption=”Love this crew” type=”image” alt=”IMG_9339.JPG” ]

Phew, a December to remember for sure. Thank you to our friends for coming this way to visit and making our holidays special. Next up in the adventures…heading to mainland Mexico on January 13th!

What we are listening to:
– Dik Lewis – Arriba Arriba in honor of new years in Cabo

See the rest of our pics from our month in Los Barriles! There are some great photos we couldn’t fit in the blog:
[pe2-gallery album=”http://picasaweb.google.com/data/feed/base/user/115263927216347870948/albumid/6101784250000248833?alt=rss&hl=en_US&kind=photo” ]